Election 2026: The Podcast

The campaign is nearly over, but will we know who’s won on election night?
In the final pre-election episode of Election 2026: The Podcast, Katie Bradford is joined by campaign strategist and pollster Tim Hurdle and Herald deputy political editor Adam Pearse. They look at what the Michael Laws controversy could mean for New Zealand First, why Opportunity’s chances of clearing 5% matter, and which electorate races are worth watching on Saturday.
Plus, the panel looks back at the good, the bad and the ugly of the campaign, and explains why special votes could leave us waiting weeks to find out who’s in a position to form the next government.
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Could Christopher Luxon secure another term and still face a fight for his leadership?
Katie Bradford is joined by NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor and Tō Waha Media owner Carmen Parahi to discuss National’s polling, the power its coalition partners could wield and why cost of living concerns are getting lost in the campaign.
They also examine the fallout from Labour’s candidate controversy, the Māori electorate battles that could reshape Parliament, and concerns about voter enrolment and information at polling booths.
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Could New Zealand still be waiting for a government at Christmas? Katie Bradford is joined by Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan and political strategist Campbell Barry to examine Opportunity’s potential role as kingmaker and the promises that could unravel in coalition talks.
They also discuss the Power Brokers Debate, the Greens’ handling of gang engagement, business leaders’ political report cards and whether Chris Bishop can hold on in Hutt South.
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Could the 2026 election be a make or break moment for MMP?

With National and Labour neck and neck and Opportunity potentially holding the balance of power, forming the next government could be anything but straightforward.

Katie Bradford is joined by Infrastructure New Zealand's Nick Leggett and Financial Services Council CEO Kirk Hope to dissect the latest leaders' debate, the growing influence of smaller parties and whether politicians can finally agree on the future of superannuation.
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Could National return to government and still lose some of its biggest names?
Former Labour leader and Auckland mayor Phil Goff joins Katie Bradford and NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor to unpack the campaign’s latest twists—from the risk facing National’s senior list MPs to the promises that could disappear during coalition negotiations.
They also dissect the leaders’ debate, Labour’s handling of its landlord tax policy and National’s proposed foreign aid cuts. Plus, Goff reflects on facing John Key across the debate stage—and the panel considers what could decide this closely fought election.
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